A Monpura, a hiatus of 9 years and Swapnajaal!
Set in 90's, Swapnajaal is a story of whimsical Apu and the girl next door Shuvra. The story engenders and revives accross the southern riverin of Bengal where their unconditional love endeavors between the animosity and religious boundary!
While Monpura was largely attributed to music and remained as a visual treat, Swapnajaal has a intriguing story with an unorthodox ending which apparently leaves the audience in quandary and might be worth of some critical analysis if not acclamation!
Shuvra might be the best work of Porimoni till date. I would say it's apparently the best from any of her contemporaries in recent times. Besides, I found Rohan a bit pale as the character Apu urged slightly more emotion!
Talking about the supporting cast, Babu nails it with his provocative act as a notorious and humorous trader. Apart from this, Iresh acted brilliantly as partner in crime to Babu and at some instance you would start feeling as if he stole the show from the big man. Nonetheless, Shacchu, Misha, Ashis Chakrobarty and others did justice to their roles.
In reviewing visual and technical aspects, I found the cinematography quite captivating besides music and background score could have been better.
Being grown up by watching films like Dahan, Alo, Unishe April, Rajkahini, Belasheshe, I always thought and questioned our ability to make films like those. But, then came films like Shrabon Megher Din, Joyjatra, Monpura and now Swapnajaal. It's a rare virtue of being an original scriptwriter and a Director at the same time. Giasuddin Selim perhaps lives up to that virtue as his most ambitious project since Monpura meeting expectations.
Swapnajaal makes you laugh, makes you cry, leaves you in enigma but eventually don't disapoints you rather quenches your thirst big time!
Hail Swapnajaal, Hail Bangla cinema!
Two thumbs up!